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Abstract

Autogenic training (AT) is a self-relaxation procedure by which a psychophysiological determined relaxation response is elicited. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of AT. Seventy-three controlled outcome studies were found (published 1952-99). Sixty studies (35 randomized controlled trials [RCT]) qualified for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Medium-to-large effect sizes (ES) occurred for pre-post comparisons of disease-specific AT-effects, with the RCTs showing larger ES. When AT was compared to real control conditions, medium ES were found. Comparisons of AT versus other psychological treatment mostly resulted in no effects or small negative ES. This pattern of results was stable at follow-up. Unspecific AT-effects (i.e., effects on mood, cognitive performance, quality of life, and physiological variables) tended to be even larger than main effects. Separate meta-analyses for different disorders revealed a significant reduction of the heterogeneity of ES. Positive effects (medium range) of AT and of AT versus control in the meta-analysis of at least 3 studies were found for tension headache/migraine, mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, coronary heart disease, asthma bronchiale, somatoform pain disorder (unspecified type), Raynaud's disease, anxiety disorders, mild-to-moderate depression/dysthymia, and functional sleep disorders.

Stress Management Apps With Regard to Emotion-Focused Coping and Behavior Change Techniques: A Content Analysis

“…Therefore, a corresponding taxonomy including clear definitions for each strategy was developed for this app analysis. In addition to the emotion-focused stress management strategies that have been investigated by Coulon et al [24] (namely breathing exercises [25-27], progressive muscle relaxation [26,28], meditation or mindfulness [29-31], and visualization or guided imagery [26,32]), the following evidence-based strategies were identified during a thorough literature review: autogenic training [33], biofeedback [26], emotional freedom technique or acupressure [26,34], euthymic methods [35], hypnosis or self-hypnosis [36], (self-)massage [37], and physical stress relief techniques such as yoga [38] or tai chi [39]. As stress sensations can also be influenced by some types of music [40,41], sounds of nature [42], nutrition [43], and sport [44], these aspects were also included (see Table 1 for an overview and definitions).…”

Exercise modality and physical fitness in perimenopausal women

“…After pre-testing, 40% of the selected women achieved CRF-level above the age-normalized values based on the equation of Fitzgerald et al (1997), VO 2 max = 43.82 ¡ 0.35 (age in years), revealing greater than desired physical condition, and were therefore excluded from the analysis. We used autogenic training (AT) to control the physical activity level of the non-exercising group and because changes in strength or cardiorespiratory Wtness were not expected (Brochu et al 2002;Stetter and Kupper 2002). The Wnal number of female participants analyzed were ST ht = 7, ST ss = 8, ET i = 7, ET c = 9, and AT = 11 to test our hypotheses.…”

The relationship between salivary amylase and the physical and psychological changes elicited by continuation of autogenic training in patients with functional somatic syndrome

“…A previous study reported that AT is clinically effective for not only improving mood and cognitive performance but for treating tension headache, migraine, mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, and coronary heart disease [23]. …”